17. ZANA

Chapter seventeen

ZANA

The Wilhelm estate stands before me, a fortress dressed up as a home. The structure reeks of power but there’s no softness to it. I stand there in my black suit, my Louis Vuitton heels sinking slightly into the gravel of the driveway, and let out a long, steadying breath. This isn’t just a house. It’s a stage and every move I make here is going to be scrutinized, dissected, and used against me if I’m not careful.

I’m not even supposed to be here.

I glance at my reflection in the polished brass of the door, my hair loose around my shoulders, my sharpness meticulously packaged. Every detail of my appearance is calculated, a message before I’ve even opened my mouth. I’m here as an Alpha, yes, but also as a professional—a lawyer—and also as Reid’s Alpha.

But beneath the armor, I feel the cracks.

Ethan is unraveling. Day by day, he’s slipping further into a state I can barely manage. His scent is sharp with distress, his body restless, his thoughts consumed. He feels Reid’s pain and though I thought it impossible at first—how could he, when they aren’t bonded?—I can’t deny the truth any longer. I feel it too now. It’s faint, like a distant echo, but it’s there. A dull ache, a persistent weight. And worse, it feels like Reid is slipping away, like the tether holding him to this world is fraying.

If I didn’t act, I would lose him—hell, I would lose both my mates and I can’t do that. Being alone isn’t an option. If I’m honest with myself, standing here is a selfish act just as much as it is a selfless one.

And yet, it could cost me everything—my license to practice law, my reputation, my future. But my career means nothing without them. So, I called in every favor, pulled every string, and landed myself in a position I never thought I’d touch—checking in on pack Betas.

Many packs hire a pack Beta without any contract. It’s an ‘in good faith’ position but those that make it legal by law are in an entirely different boat. And the lawyers hired to work with those packs are a different breed altogether.

It’s a controversial role, to put it mildly. Lawyers who take these cases often skirt the edges of legality, turning a blind eye to abuses for a little extra money under the table from the Alphas. It’s a game I’ve never played, a line I’ve never crossed. Until now.

Because this isn’t just a case. This is about saving Reid. Saving Ethan. Saving myself.

I straighten my shoulders, lift my chin, and knock firmly on the massive door. The sound echoes through the quiet and for a moment, there’s nothing but the crunch of gravel under my heels as I shift my weight. Then I hear footsteps, heavy and deliberate, and the door swings open.

Jackson .

I recognize him instantly from the photos. Tall, broad, all sharp lines and arrogance. His dark hair is tousled, and his bare chest gleams faintly in the light, every muscle on display like a trophy. He leans casually against the doorframe, a smirk tugging at his lips as his sharp eyes rake over me.

“Well,” he drawls, his voice dripping with amusement. “A female Alpha? This is a surprise. What the fuck do you want?”

His words are a slap, designed to unnerve, but my expression remains neutral. Even as his gaze rakes over me, his tongue darting out to lick his lips. I brush it off, refusing to react. I’ve faced worse than him. A smile spreads across my lips, one of the ones I use when addressing the other party in a difficult divorce—the one who cheated. “I’m here to check on your pack Beta,” I state, careful not to use Reid’s name. Not yet.

His smirk widens and he lets out a low laugh, the sound grating on my nerves. “Our Beta?” he repeats, a mocking edge to his tone. “You mean Reid.”

The name sends a sharp pang through me, but I keep my expression carefully blank. “I didn’t say his name. But yes. I’m here to ensure his well-being.”

Jackson crosses his arms over his chest, leaning further into the doorframe. “And who exactly sent you? I don’t remember asking for a babysitter.”

This is the moment everything could go wrong. If Jackson believes for a second that Reid said something, my Beta could be in trouble. My Beta? I haven’t truly referred to him like that before but it’s true. Reid is mine. He’s ours. “It’s a routine check.” I harden my expression slightly, before realizing that the no-nonsense version isn’t what Jackson needs. So, I relax my shoulders and loosen my smile. “It’s just part of the job, Alpha. Nothing more. I’ll only take a moment of your time.” The word ‘Alpha’ burns on my tongue but it seems to work.

There’s a flick of panic in his eyes. It’s there for just a second, but it’s enough to tell me I’ve hit a nerve. His smirk falters, his jaw tightening as he glances over his shoulder, nodding subtly toward someone out of sight.

I don’t let the unease show on my face. Alphas like Jackson thrive on power, on dominance. If he senses weakness, he’ll pounce. Jackson turns back to me, his smirk sliding back into place like a mask. “I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure,” he muses, his voice dripping with false charm. “Who are you, exactly?”

“Zana.” I stare at his outstretched hand and force myself to shake it. “I’m here from the agency. Routine post-heat check. It’s a newer initiative, random checks. Some people don’t see us for years. Others see us every couple of months. I don’t choose the cards. I just follow them.” I’m trying to get Jackson to pull down his walls, to think that I’m only here because of the job and not that anything is wrong. I add on one last sentence, hoping it helps. “Just here to ensure pack Betas are in good health and receiving the care they need to better serve their families.”

The word serve seems to placate him further, his posture relaxing. I see the calculations behind his eyes, the way he weighs my words. “So, what? You’re here to make sure he’s... happy?”

“Healthy,” I correct. “It’s not uncommon for Betas to be overworked or under-cared for after a heat cycle. If there are any issues, I’ll document them and ensure he gets what he needs before being returned.”

The tension in his shoulders continues to ease as he leans against the doorframe, his smirk creeping back. “Returned,” he repeats, his tone almost playful. “So, you’re not here to take him away?”

I shake my head. “No. This is just a routine welfare check. Nothing more.”

His eyes narrow slightly, searching my face for any cracks, any signs of deceit. Finally, he nods, stepping aside. “Alright,” he says, gesturing for me to enter. “Come on in.”

The moment I step inside, the smell hits me like a wall. The thick, nauseating scent of Hailey’s post-heat clings to every surface, mixing with the musk of her Alphas. My nose wrinkles involuntarily, but I force my expression to remain neutral. This isn’t the time to show my disgust.

The house is impeccably clean, almost unnaturally so, but it feels cold, unloved. There’s no warmth here, no sense of home. It’s a display, designed to intimidate and impress, but it only makes my stomach churn.

“Hailey’s still resting,” Jackson says as he leads me down the hall. “She had a long heat. The Beta helped a lot.”

The way he says it makes my skin crawl, but I bite my tongue, nodding politely. “That’s good to hear,” I say evenly. “It’s important for the Beta to play their role effectively.”

As we reach the end of the hall, Jackson stops and turns to me, his smirk widening. “See for yourself. He’s fine.”

I step into the room and my breath catches in my throat. Reid is leaning against the far wall, his body slumped like it’s taking everything he has just to stay upright. His face is pale, his hazel eyes dull and unfocused. A fading bruise mars his cheek, the skin around his left eye swollen. His lips twitch into a weak smile, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.

“Hi,” he mumbles, his voice barely audible. He shifts slightly, wincing as if the movement causes him pain.

Lyle stands beside him, one hand gripping Reid’s arm like a vice. The other Alpha smirks at me, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “Told you,” he says, his tone smug. “He’s fine.” Lyle is nearly a spitting image of Jackson, both of them picture-perfect versions of what most people think Alphas should be. I can see why they’re popular but their personalities make it hard to see anything else.

I look at Reid again, taking in the way his shoulders sag, the faint tremble in his hands. He’s not fine. Not even close. But I can’t say that. Not yet. Not without putting him at even greater risk.

Instead, I nod, forcing a neutral expression onto my face. “I’d still like to ask him a few questions. Standard procedure.”

Lyle’s grip tightens on Reid’s arm and Jackson steps closer, his smirk turning colder. “Sure. But don’t take too long. We’ve got a busy household.”

I do my best to hold myself together, to not let the cracks show. Reid stands—or rather, leans—against the wall, his dull hazel eyes scanning the room until they land on me. For a moment, I think I see recognition flash across his face, a faint spark of something. Hope? Relief? I don’t know, but it disappears as quickly as it came.

His scent reaches me then, subtle but unmistakable and it hits like a punch to the gut. Almond and sandalwood, warm and earthy, and everything I’ve been craving since I first caught his scent from his hat at the diner.

Jackson watches me, his arms crossed, clearly waiting for me to make a move. “What’s wrong with him?” I finally ask, weathering the anger bubbling up in my chest. Hearing these two Alphas say that Reid is fine when he’s clearly fading is pissing me off.

“Nothing serious,” Jackson says, his tone dismissive. “He’s just clumsy. Had a bit of a fall earlier.”

“A fall,” I repeat, my eyes narrowing slightly. The bruise on Reid’s face tells a different story, but I bite my tongue.

Before I can press further, Hailey saunters into the room, that nauseating scent following her, making my nose wrinkle despite my best efforts. She’s dressed in soft, flowing fabrics, her hair tousled in a way that’s meant to look effortless but screams calculated. Her eyes flick to me briefly before settling on Reid.

“He’s always doing dumb things,” she mumbles with a casual shrug. “Clumsy little Beta. He messes up a lot, and, well...” She trails off, her smile tightening. “There are punishments, of course. When he needs them.”

My jaw clenches, but I force a nod. “Of course. Sometimes Betas just need a little extra help following the rules. It’s not uncommon.” With the Omega now in the room, I have to take a slightly different approach. The mission is to get Reid out of the house. Everything else can come later.

Hailey perks up at that, her smile turning genuine for the first time. “Exactly! I mean, we’re doing him a favor, really. Structure is good for Betas.”

I swallow back the bile rising in my throat. “I understand. It happens. And that’s why I’m here—to make sure he’s in good health so he can continue serving the family properly.” When no one moves, I step forward, focusing on Lyle. “Sometimes things happen and we get a little… overzealous in our punishments. Let me just get him cleaned up and returned so I don’t have to put anything in the report, yeah?”

Those words cinch it, both Alphas letting out a little sigh of relief. Even Hailey looks less bothered. Unfortunately, Reid has the opposite reaction. His hazel eyes meet mine and I can see the distrust there, the way he stiffens as I approach. He doesn’t know I’m lying, that every word I’ve said to these monsters has been calculated to get him out of here. All he sees is another Alpha, another person in power he can’t trust.

“Can you walk?” I ask, keeping my voice as gentle as I can manage.

He hesitates, his lips parting as if to answer, but before he can, Lyle tightens his grip on Reid’s arm. “Be good,” Lyle warns, a growl on the edge of his lips. “Do what the Alpha says.”

Reid flinches as his eyes flash with defiance before he just nods, his gaze dropping to the floor. “Okay,” he whispers, his voice so quiet I almost miss it.

The moment Lyle lets go, Reid’s legs buckle. He crumples to the floor, his body folding in on itself like he’s finally allowed himself to fall. A strangled sound escapes my throat and I drop to my knees beside him, my hands trembling as I reach for him.

“See?” Jackson laughs from behind me. “He’s just weak. A little soft.”

I don’t respond. I can’t. My focus is entirely on Reid, on the way his body feels too light, too fragile as I lift him into my arms. He doesn’t fight me, doesn’t say a word, just leans against me like he’s already given up.

I carry him out of the house, every step feeling heavier than the last. The fresh air hits me like a slap, clearing my head enough to keep moving. I reach the car, open the door, and carefully settle Reid into the passenger seat. His head lolls slightly, but he turns to look at me, his hazel eyes glassy and unfocused.

“Baby,” I whisper, my eyes burning as I take in the bruises, the exhaustion etched into his face. “What the fuck did they do to you?”

He doesn’t answer. He just closes his eyes, his body sinking into the seat like he’s finally allowed to rest. And I promise myself, right then and there, that I will never let them have him again.